Babymustanghorse B (Brandi) had yet another trim, today. We used hay as an “open bar” reinforcer, and everything went beautifully. This is great, because the past few weeks felt like a bit of a backslide and I was starting to get concerned. But she approached the farrier and his tools with more curiosity than last time, and seemed to decide that he really wasn’t an issue. This is also great, because it’s the second trim without sedation, which means she’s wise to the process now and could have had big feelings about it. I managed to get one afterthought image and didn’t originally think it was useful, but there’s actually quite a bit of information here:
- Localized, distinct bootprints and relatively few hoofprints mean the farrier moved around and for the most part Brandi didn’t.
- Hoof trimmings and flakes mean he was able to both trim and rasp, whereas last time he only trimmed.
- Bits of hay on the ground mean she was able to relax and eat.
- Loose leadrope means she could stand for a few seconds without eating so I could get a seemingly terrible photo.
- Farrier’s boot by her hind end means she was cool with him standing back there and having a conversation with the owner.
- All of this with a somewhat chilly rain coming down on the roof.
I hesitate to say I’m proud of her, because so much of this is just her nonchalance and boldness, but I’m so pleased with the relationship we’ve built and how that seems to be playing out in the “real world.”
